Real-Life Communication -- Solution
An ability to write is important, but it's not the only communication
skill a technical writer needs.
"Writing is obviously the number one
skill for technical writers, but writing fluency alone is not enough for success
in the field," says Louise Rehling, the director of a technical and professional
writing program.
"Critical thinking [and related habits of mind], research
abilities, teamwork and other interpersonal qualities, graphic design skills
and oral communication are typically very important as well."
Here's
what technical writer Bill Wellon wrote in response to the Internet assignment.
WHAT'S
THIS THING CALLED THE INTERNET?
The Internet is an exciting communication
system that links people to a superhighway of information and correspondence.
The Internet is basically access -- access to a world of research, access
to breaking stories and publications and access to each other.
One
of the biggest problems with the Internet is that it is extremely difficult
to describe because it doesn't really exist as a physical or concrete
thing. The Internet is just out there. It's an abstract world of unknown
on the cutting edge of technology that is an excellent resource tool for you
and me.
HOW DOES THE INTERNET WORK?
The Internet is
basically a network of networks. A network is just a bunch of computers connected
together so that they can share information. Examples of the most common networks
include major universities and big corporations. When all of these networks
are linked together, the result is the Internet. It's a collection of
thousands of computers united together. The remarkable thing
about this organization (or disorganization) is that the computers on it range
from personal computers to huge mainframes.
It is also interesting
to note that the physical connections between the computers include dial-in
telephone lines and fiber-optic satellite links. Amazingly, these connected
machines can talk to each other through a computer language called Protocol.
Linking
to the Internet is very similar to calling someone on the telephone long distance.
The telephone call involves several different phone companies and is probably
routed all over the U.S., just like a link to the Internet.